Medical retrieval device

Abstract

Compositions comprising devices for retrieving objects from a subject, for example the subject's vasculature, are described. Also described are methods of making and using these devices.

1 . A device comprising 
 a core wire having a distal end and a proximal end;    a catheter shaft having a proximal catheter end, a distal catheter end and a lumen through which the core wire is passed such that the distal end of the core wire extends beyond the distal catheter end;    a retrieval element disposed at the distal end of the core wire, the retrieval element movable from a radially contracted position to a radially expanded position; and    a first stop element attached to the core wire, the first stop element configured to prevent over-expansion of the retrieval element.    
     
     
         2 .- 32 . (Cancelled).  
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the retrieval element is a collapsible basket.  
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the retrieval element is a coil.  
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the retrieval element is a braid.  
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the retrieval element includes two or more strands.  
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 36 , wherein the stands are ribbons.  
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a proximal junction disposed at the distal catheter end, and a distal junction slidingly disposed about the core wire, wherein the proximal and distal junctions have lumens therethrough sized to receive the core wire but not the first stop element.  
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 38 , wherein the retrieval element extends between and is attached to the proximal and distal junctions.  
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 39 , further comprising a second stop element attached to the distal end of the core wire; wherein the first stop element is attached to the core wire between the proximal and distal junctions; wherein the second stop element is sized such that it does not fit through the lumen of the distal junction.  
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein in use, the device is advanced through a vessel with the retrieval element in a radially contracted position such that the distal end of the catheter is adjacent a structure to be removed from the vessel; the core wire is retracted proximally, thereby expanding the retrieval element to retrieve the structure; the core wire is then extended distally, thereby contracting the retrieval element about the structure; the device is then moved or removed from the vessel to reposition or remove the structure.  
     
     
         42 . A retrieval device comprising 
 a core wire having a distal end and a proximal end;    a catheter shaft having a proximal catheter end, a distal catheter end, and a lumen through which the core wire is passed such that the distal end of the core wire extends beyond the distal catheter end;    a retrieval element disposed at the distal end of the catheter shaft, the retrieval element movable from a radially contracted position to a radially expanded position, the retrieval element having a proximal junction attached to the distal catheter end and a distal junction extending distally along the core wire, wherein the proximal and distal junctions have lumens therethrough sized to receive the core wire; and    a stop assembly attached to the core wire, the stop assembly configured to cause expansion of the retrieval element upon proximal movement of the core wire, and contraction of the retrieval element upon distal movement of the core wire; the stop assembly configured to prevent over-expansion of the retrieval element.    
     
     
         43 . The retrieval device of  claim 42 , wherein the stop assembly has a proximal portion, a central portion, and a distal portion; the stop assembly positioned on the core wire such that the proximal portion is between the proximal and distal junctions of the retrieval element, and the distal portion is distal of the distal junction; wherein the stop assembly is sized such that the central portion passes through the distal junction but the proximal and distal portions cannot pass through the distal junction.  
     
     
         44 . The retrieval device of  claim 42 , wherein the stop assembly includes first and second stop elements; the first stop element being attached to the core wire between the proximal and distal junctions and sized such that it cannot pass through the proximal or distal junctions; the second stop element including a proximal restricted portion, a central portion, and a distal coil portion, wherein the restricted and central portions are sized to pass through the distal junction, but the distal coil portion is sized such that it cannot pass through the distal junction.  
     
     
         45 . A retrieval device comprising: 
 a core wire having a distal end and a proximal end;    a catheter shaft having a proximal catheter end, a distal catheter end and a lumen through which the core wire is passed such that the distal end of the core wire extends beyond the distal catheter end;    a retrieval element disposed about the core wire proximal of the distal end of the core wire, the retrieval element movable from a radially contracted position to a radially expanded position, the retrieval element having a proximal junction and a distal junction; and    a stop element disposed between the proximal and distal junctions of the retrieval element, the stop element configured to prevent over-expansion of the retrieval element.    
     
     
         46 . The retrieval device of  claim 45 , further comprising a coil disposed at the distal end of the core wire; wherein the proximal and distal junctions of the retrieval element have lumens therethrough sized to receive the core wire; wherein the coil is sized such that it does not pass through the lumens.  
     
     
         47 . The retrieval device of  claim 46 , wherein the proximal junction of the retrieval element is attached to the distal catheter end, and the distal junction of the retrieval element is slidably disposed about the core wire; wherein the distal end of the core wire extends beyond the distal junction.  
     
     
         48 . The retrieval device of  claim 47 , wherein the stop element is attached to the core wire.  
     
     
         49 . The retrieval device of  claim 48 , wherein the stop element and coil are spaced apart on the core wire such that in use, when the device is in position with the retrieval element adjacent a structure to be removed from a vessel, the core wire is retracted proximally, causing the coil to abut the distal junction of the retrieval element; further retraction of the core wire causing expansion of the retrieval element until the stop element abuts the proximal junction, thereby halting expansion of the retrieval element.